Chapter one

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a shadow over the street. Christian was in his condo holding a file of papers. His insides churned with excitement. He couldn't believe the news he just received. 

"Oh my God Potter, this is great news! I can't believe this is happening. I've almost given up hope."

Beside him, a middle-aged man, Christian's family's loyal butler, named Mr. Potter, had a smile on his face. Christian had not seen Mr. Potter in years, and now he was here to deliver news that would change his life forever.

"Master Chris," Mr. Potter began in his familiar, gravelly voice, "I am pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed your family's trial. You have proven yourself worthy of reclaiming your position as the rightful heir of the esteemed Robinson family."

Christian smiled in triumph as he absorbed those words. He had been expelled from his family many years ago. 

He had spent years away from his family, trying to build his life from scratch, without help. But the yearning to be a part of his family had never truly left him.

He accepted the envelope from Mr. Potter with trembling hands. As he opened it, the contents confirmed his success in the trial. 

Christian let out a long sigh of relief. He was now ready to reclaim his birthright and the responsibilities that came with it. With his wife's support and guidance, Christian was determined to honor his family's name and legacy, no matter how many years had passed since he was expelled. 

Potter reached into the breast pocket of his suit and withdrew a delicate jade bracelet. It gleamed softly in the light, the green hues dancing in intricate patterns across the surface. 

"Here, Master Chris," Potter said, handing him a jade bracelet. "This bracelet is your family's heirloom. It is normally for the wife of the heir. You have to give this to your wife. With this, you'll be able to introduce her to your family as your legal wife."

He nodded, his heart filled with happiness and gratitude. The bracelet was a way to connect the person he loved most with his family. 

Anna had never met any of his family. Even though he had never really explained his estrangement. She didn't mind. She married him because she loved him and he was grateful she stood by him. 

After Potter left, he was filled with so much excitement and anticipation. He couldn't wait for Anna to return so he could break the good news to her. He wanted everything to be perfect for the evening. He decided to cook a special dinner. Anna loved it when he cooked.

It had been a while since they spent quality time together as a couple. Anna had recently gotten three big clients in her company and it took so much of her time. He also noticed she had grown a little distant but he attributed it to pressure from work. 

He appreciated the fact that she worked hard but he didn't want her working so hard. She earned up to three times his salary. He knew he would ask her to reduce the workload now because he had gotten back into his wealthy family. She didn't need to work so hard anymore. He could provide her with anything she needed. 

He spent the next three hours preparing a delicious meal of pan-seared salmon, perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices. The salmon glistened and the flesh was tender and flaky. 

He had always loved cooking even as a kid. He usually spent hours with the family chef as a teen, learning all he could. 

He sat down to wait for Anna. The minutes turned into hours. His wife was the CEO of her Real Estate company, a company she started three years ago. And recently, she got her big break. Hence, she often had late nights at her company.

It wasn't until the clock struck midnight that the front door opened, and his wife finally walked in.

Chris's tired eyes lit up as he welcomed her. He had almost fallen asleep. Her face was etched in weariness and his heart sank. 

She frowned when she saw the dinner he had prepared. "What's this? What's the occasion?" She asked.

"I just wanted to make tonight special. I have something important to tell you "

"I'm sorry, Chris, but I already ate at the office."

His enthusiasm waned, but he managed a weak smile. "That's alright, love. How did your day go? Did you meet that client you told me about?"

"Yea, yea. Today went well." She kicked off her shoes as she strolled into the living room.

"I have good news."

She stopped and slowly turned towards me. Her expression grew even more somber. "There's something I need to talk to you about too," she said.

Chris hesitated, then urged, "Please, you go first." 

His wife reached into her bag and pulled out a stack of papers. As they landed on the table, Chris's eyes caught the title at the top of the page, and his heart skipped a beat. It was a divorce agreement.

With trembling hands, he picked up the papers, unsure of what to do. He read the papers to be sure it was what he thought it was. 

His eyes fixed on the words that confirmed the end of his marriage. His voice quivered as he managed to utter, "Why, Anneliese? Why? What's wrong?"

Anna met his gaze with Impertinence.

 "When we got married, Chris, we had nothing. We built our life together from the ground up. But over the last three years, things have changed. I became a CEO, I've been working hard to achieve my dreams, while it feels like you've let your ambition slip away. I need a man, Chris. You've just... I dunno. You've been relying on me, waiting on me to provide. It's almost as if I'm there in this marriage. I understand things aren't going as planned for you but... I expect something from you and right now, I just don't see it."

Anna continued. She had a firm resolve as she had already made up her mind a long time ago.

 "I want a real man as my partner Chris. A real man! Someone who would strive for his own goals and dreams, not someone content with a life of dependence. Someone who will provide for me. I'm your wife. I should be a helper and supporter, not a provider! I wanted a husband, Chris, not a gigolo."

"What are you talking about Anna? A gigolo? You compare me to a gigolo?"

"It seems more like it!"

"Common Anneliese! You know I'm trying so hard. I'm trying my best!" He yelled.

"Right now, your best is not enough."

"Anneliese, don't do this. Not now, please. I beg of you."

"Chris, there's no use begging. You should have known better. Right now, I've made up my mind."

Chris's head shot up in shock and he felt his heart come to a complete stop. 

"Is there someone else Anna? Is there?" He almost yelled. She looked shocked at first. 

She couldn't look him in the eyes. She folded her arms and looked away. Her countenance confirmed what he already knew. No wonder. 

No wonder she unusually kept late nights. No wonder she never let him touch her. No wonder she got so irritated with anything he did, even when he wanted to make him happy. No wonder she didn't spend time with him anymore. All she ever talked about was work, work, work.

Chris felt the weight of her words. It was a painful truth to swallow. He never thought their journey would take such a bitter turn. The memories of their shared dreams and aspirations seemed to be slipping away.

He was mute for a long time before he finally spoke, "Three years ago, I sold my house for a very low price, and I gave you all the money to help you start your dream company. I believed in you, in us. Why are you doing this Anneliese? Why don't you believe in me? We can make this work. Please."

Anna took out a cheque from her bag and boldly handed it to him.

"What's this?"

"This is one million dollars. I know you've helped me build up my company. I'm grateful for that. However, this cheque surpasses the initial amount you gave me." She had a hint of defiance in her voice.

"What? You're paying me off now? Just how long have you planned this Anna? Why didn't you tell me about how you felt?"

"Three years ago, you sold your house for $200,000 to support me. Consider this my repayment, Chris. It's five times more than you gave me, and it's time for you to find your way." She said, ignoring his questions. 

Chris was taken aback by the audacity of her words. He was hurt and bewildered. He rose from his seat, his gaze fixed on his wife's face. It was no longer the face he knew, the face he loved and admired so much. Her face was now foreign and distant.

With slow movements, he picked up the pen, ready to sign the divorce agreement. 

Anna met his gaze with unsettling calmness. "You can stay in the house tonight or till the end of the week." 

But Chris couldn't think of it. He couldn't bear to stay one more minute with her.  Instead, he took the check and tore it into pieces. 

He whispered, "I'll leave right away."

As Chris reached for the doorknob, his wife's voice halted him. He turned back, his eyes meeting hers. His eyes were moist and rimmed red as he fought the tears from spilling.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay? Where will you go?"

"What do you care about?" He almost yelled.

"Well... Now all this food you made will go to waste. What am I expected to do with all this?"

"Sort it out yourself. I made it for you anyway."

"What about your clothes? When will you come back to get them?"

"You can burn them." His response was blunt and final. 

Anna regarded him quietly for a moment. "Here." She handed him the jade bracelet Mr Potter had given him earlier. "You forgot this." 

She continued, "I'm guessing you bought this for me. Chris, this is exactly what I'm saying. This is cheap jewelry. You act like you want to do nice things for me, but you never know what I like. Word of advice, in the future, don't ever buy such cheap stuff again."

With a nod, he accepted the bracelet. He could see the depth of her disappointment. He had only tried to love her. When did she become so shallow? When did she become so materialistic? 

He knew women liked gifts and he made sure he got her what he could afford as often as he could. Maybe it was the other women who she had started to mingle with. Maybe they had started to influence her with their affluent living. 

If only she knew. If only she knew how close they were to starting a new life. He shivered with hurt, anger, and something else. Grief. 

He quietly turned the doorknob, closing the door on a chapter he knew he would never return to. 

He stepped into the street, the cool evening wind chilling his face. He stood in the middle of the street for a long time, staring into the distance, at nothing in particular.

Memories flooded his mind, memories of how he had first met Anna and how they had fallen deeply in love. He remembered their early days when they were both young and filled with dreams and aspirations.

He recalled how Anna had been content with whatever little he had to offer. It wasn't about material wealth, but about the promise of a bright future they would build together.

Yet, as he stared into the distance, he couldn't help but wonder what had happened. How had they gone from being so in love to this moment of parting and bitterness? 

Where had it all gone wrong?